Circuit protector



May 9, 1967 v. RUSSENBERGER CIRCUIT PROTECTOR Filed April 15, 1965 FIG. 3

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United States Patent 3,319,030 CIRCUIT PROTECTOR Victor Russenberger, 40 Ave. de la Source, Nogeut-sur-Marne, France Filed Apr. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 447,630 Claims priority, application France, Apr. 17, 1964,

971,421; Mar. 3, 1965, 7,777

10 Claims. (Cl. 200-421) The present invention relates to a new and useful circuit protector in the form of a circuit-breaker provided with a fuse and the particular design of which allows to make, at an interesting cost price, a safety compact device adapted to be mounted in electric plants either of the domestic or of the industrial type.

In addition, the fuse circuit-breaker which is the object of this invention is advantageous in that it may be mounted in association with a cheap luminous warning apparatus adapted to immediately inform the user about the condition of the fuse which equips said circuit-breaker. This advantage is very particularly useful, especially for the plants having an industrial nature, because it avoids the more or less long and fastidious searches in the case where a circuit-breaker which is a part of a group or of a several function series causes through the melting of the fuse thereof a working interruption the origin of which may sometimes be hard to locate.

This invention relates also to the means used so that the circuit-breaker also constitutes an element which is capable to open or close the circuit to be controlled by said element.

According to the present invention, the circuit-breaker includes a tubular body member having an extension in the bottom of which is provided a movable electric-a1 contact which is electrically connected to a first conductor and is adapted to be applied on one of the ends of a fuse of the closed fusion type, the other end of said fuse, engaged within a fuse-holder, being maintained against a transverse cup provided, in a diametrical plane, with two protrusions cooperating with corresponding notches in two conducting blades which are engaged in said tubular body and of which one at least is electrically connected to a second conductor.

Various other characteristics of this invention will be revealed when reading the following detailed description.

Embodiments of the object of the invention are shown in an illustrative and by no means limitative manner in the annexed drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal view partly in elevation and partly in section of the fuse circuit-breaker according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation showing at a larger scale one of the constitutive elements of the circuit-breaker.

FIG. 3 is a transverse elevation taken substantially along the line IIIIII in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section representing at a smaller scale another constitutive element of the circuit-breaker.

FIG. 5 is a plane view showing one of the contact members of the circuit-breaker.

FIG. 6 shows in elevation at a larger scale an alternative embodiment of two constitutive elements of the fuse circuit-breaker.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section, taken substantially along the line VII-VII in FIG. 1, in the case where the circuitbreaker includes elements as shown in FIG. 6.

Turning now to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, it can be seen therein that the circuit-breaker according to this invention includes a tubular body member 1 defining a sleeve 2 which presents a collar 3 at one end thereof. Said collar 3 is intended to bear on the external face of a wall, or like element, 4 in which the tubular body 1 is engaged. In order to maintain said body on element 4, the

3,319,030 Patented May 9, 1967 sleeve 2 is advantageously externally threaded as at 5, and on said thread can be screwed, for example, a nut (not shown) which, upon tightening thereof, causes collar 3 to bear on said element and, moreover, the tubular body 1 to be suiliciently locked. Said sleeve 2 includes, at that end thereof which is opposed to the one having the collar 3, a tubular extension 6 which is closed at its free end. As it is easy to understand, the above-described tubular body 1 is preferably made from a plastic material, while it is quite evident that the same could be made from any other suitable insulating material.

The bottom 6a of extension 6 has, at the center thereof, a hole 7 in which is engaged a spindle 8, of which the exteriorly protruding end part advantageously defines a terminal lug 9 adapted to make a connection with a conductor 10 schematically shown in dot-and-dash lines. The inner end of said spindle member 8 forms a platen 11 on which bears One end of a compression coiled spring 12 which is telescoped in a spool fashion over said spindle so that its other end bears on the internal face of said bottom 6a. In addition to the movable contact constituted by spindle 8 and platen 11, the recited tubular extension 6 is exteriorly provided with two arched conducting blades 13 and 14-, which are engaged through apertures defined between said extension and sleeve 2, so that to extend parallel to the inside face of said sleeve, in the bore 15 of the latter. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of said conducting blades 13 and 14, forms a curved plate 16 having a greater angular extent and in which is cut a notch or slot 17, each constituting the female member of a bayonet coupling member, the function of which is explained hereinafter.

As shown in FIG. 1, said conducting blades 13 and 14 are telescoped in sleeve 2 so that their transverse edges extend at different levels. Moreover, in the embodiment as represented in the drawing, the blade 13, which is set back relatively to the blade 14, is provided so that a second conductor 18 may be secured, while said blade 14 is connected to one end of an electric resistance 19. The other end of the latter is shaped so as to be engaged through two diametrical ports 20 in extension 6 at the level of the bottom 6a of the latter, whereby said resistance end is constantly maintained in contact with the corresponding end of the spring 12, as well as with the spindle member 8.

The bore 15 of sleeve 2 opens into a counterbore 21, provided at the inner level of the collar 3 whereby to allow the engagement of the head 22 of an elongated fuse-holder 23. So that to insure a mounting tightness between the fuse-holder 23 and the collar 3, said head 22 includes a peripheral groove 24 adapted to accommodate a flexible seal 25, having for example the shape of a tore.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fuse-holder 23 forms in the extension of the head 22 an elongated hollow tip member 26 including a peripheral internal flange 27 at its free end. Said peripheral flange 27 is used to maintain, owing to the relative resiliency imparted to said tip 26 by two radial cuts 26a therein, the shrouded end of a fuse 28 of the closed space fusion type. The position of the fuse within the tip member 26 is determined by a stationary electric contact comprising a conducting cup defining panel member 29 (FIG. 5), which is provided so that to extend transversely in the inside of tip 26 intermediate the length of the fuse-holder 23. To this end, cuts 26a open, through two sloping ramps 30, into two transverse apertures or openings 31 extended by slots 32 and provided so that to constitute locking recesses for lugs or tabs 33 formed along a diametrical plane by said cup 29. The tabs 33 are, moreover, extended along the same diametrical plane by two protrusions 34, the length of which is suflicient so that they constitute male members of a bayonet coupling, i.e. members complementary to the notches 17 of the conducting blades 13 and 14.

Said protrusions 34 are also used whereby to form stop members for the corresponding end of a coiled spring 35 co-axially telescoped over the tip 26 so that its opposed end bears against the head 22.

In the above-described embodiment, the cup 29 is connected to one conductor 36 of a miniature lamp 37 housed within head 22 which is therefore made from a translucent or transparent plastic material. The other conductor of lamp 37 is engaged through one of the slots 32 of tip 26, whereby to be connected by a soft solder spot to the last turn of said spring 35.

To assemble the circuit-breaker, the user first engages into the tip 26 of the fuse holder 23 a closed space fusion fuse, with its corresponding end led against the cup 29, previously engaged, after the positioning of the spring and the lamp 37, into the cut parts 26a and the transverse openings 31. The fuse-holder thus equipped is then pushed into the sleeve 2 to assume a radial position in which the protrusions 34 of cup 29 extend in a plane corresponding to the opening of the notches 17, whereby to leave the first-holder penetrate substantially deeper. During such a penetration, the free end of fuse 28 pushes back, against the action of the spring 12, the spindle 8 of which the platen 11 is thus maintained constantly by reaction in contact with said fuse which is in turn applied against the cup 29. During the above penetration, the spring 35 of the fuse-holder 23 undergoes also a certain compression since its diameter is so chosen that it bears against the transverse edge of the advanced conducting blade 14. In this manner, when the user has effected a sufiicient penetration of the fuse-holder as aforementioned, he may partially rotate the fuse-holder whereby to cause the protrusions 34 to engage the notches 17 within which they are maintained by the return action of spring 12 and the complementary one of spring 35, which apply a relative force on the head 22 in the direction for which they have a tendency to drive the fuseholder 23 out of the sleeve 2. It is to be noted that in such a position one protrusion 34 only is engaged with the corresponding part of the conducting blade 13, since the other blade 14 is transversely offset. Conversely, owing to such an offset relationship, the spring 35 bears only on the transverse edge of the conducting blade 14.

The circuit-breaker thus assembled is then capable to assume its function as a circuit protector to protect an electric circuit in which it is connected. In effect, the current passing in said circuit flows, in a well known manner, through the least resistance internal circuit comprising spindle 8, platen 11, fuse 28, stationary contact 29 and conducting blade 13, and thence the second conductor 18. In the case Where the delivered current becomes greater than a value higher than the one which is determined and chosen according to the characteristics of fuse 28, the latter undergoes a heating up which, beyond the chosen rated voltage, causes the same to melt and thus interrupts the continuity of the previously established circuit.

In the above-described embodiment, the current flows then by spindle 8 and the corresponding end of resistance 19, the presence of which is advantageous whereby to lower the value of said current by a determined extent. Said current, from resistance 19, flows then by the conducting blade 14 as well as the spring 35, the conductor 38, the lamp 37 and returns by the conductor 36 towards the stationary contact 29 and the conducting blade 13 to follow again the conductor 18.

The thus reestablished circuit switches on the miniature larnp 37. The brilliance of said lamp 37, which is visible through the head 22 of fuse-holder 23, thus immediately informs the user of the incident which has just occurred and immediately locate the fuse which is to be changed.

Although this is not shown, it is evident that the above-described circuit-breaker can be provided with a fuse-holder 23 of which the head 22 does not contain a miniature lamp 37. In such an example of embodiment, it is then, of course, unnecessary to make provisions forthe positioning of the resistance 19, since the circuit-breaker has not then for its duty to establish a luminous warning circuit as a secondary function. In the case of a blowing-out of the fuse, the user removes then the head 22 to check the condition of said fuse. Of course, such an operation is carried out on the different existing circuitabreakers, when the working interruption may be ascribed to several circuitbreakers assuming simultaneously one and the same function or contributing functions.

According to an alternative embodiment of this invention, the blades 13 and 14, shown from the top thereof in FIG. 6, that is prior to the cambering operation which is necessary for their positioning in the sleeve, define notches 17 substantially different one from another.

The notch 17 in blade 13, which may be termed the lower blade, is adapted to form at the lower part an arm the extent of which is smaller than the width of the blade body. The internal transverse edge of said arm which defines partly the notch 17 is, moreover, adapted to constitute a ramp 101 sloping upwardly in the direction of the inlet aperture 102 of said notch.

The notch 17 in blade 14, which may be termed the upper blade, is cut transversely to the body of this blade, whereby to define an upper arm 103 the extent of which is the same as the width of said body. The internal edge of said arm is cut whereby to form a small nose 104 directed towards the inlet aperture 105, as shown. Said nose 104 is connected to a step 106 by a reentrant part 107 which, as shown in FIG. 6 is smaller in depth than the ramp 101 of blade 13. The step 106, which may have any suitable shape, is connected to a recess 108, the depth of which, contrary to the reentrant part 107, is greater than that of the homologous part of the ramp 101.

As shown in FIG. 7, so as to dispose the fuse-holder 23, previously provided with a fuse 28, the user pushes downwardly the elongated tip member 26 into the sleeve 2 to a radial position in which the lugs 33 of cup 29 extend in a plane which corresponds to the introducing angular lands a separating the blades 13 and 14. In a known manner, such penetration causes, through fuse 28, the compression of spring 12 and, through the transverse edge of blade 13, the compression of spring 35. When said induced penetration is carried out to a sufficient extent, the user partially rotates axially the fuseholder 23 in the direction of the arrows 1, whereby to engage the protrusions 34 extending from said lugs 33 into the inlet apertures 102 and 105 of the respective blades 13 and 14. During said rotation, the user substantially releases the axial pressure applied to the fuseholder so that the corresponding protrusion 34 engages the small nose 104. Thus, the user is able to appreciate by feeling the engagement of said protrusion'into the reentrant part 107, the angular extent or land ,8 of which is separated from the introducing land a by an angle which is sufficiently large to avoid any wrong handling. In the position thus assumed, it is to be noted that a single protrusion 34 engages the blade member 14, and that the other protrusion 34, which corresponds to the blade member 13 is, on the one hand, detained at a too low level to engage the ramp 101, and the other hand, still disposed outside of the arm 100 of blade 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, the so-called high blade 14 cannot in any case establish the connection with conductor 18, whereby the fuse-holder is disposed in a rest position in which it does not insure the continuity of the circuit including said fuse-holder.

In order to secure an accurate positioning in said rest position, even though the user tends to rotate the fuseholder 23 beyond the detaining reentrant part 107 during the partial rotation applied to the fuse-holder, the step 106 is advantageously given a particular profile, namely a downwardly inclined part 106a, which is adapted, in Q cooperation with the simultaneous actions of the springs 12 and 35, to retract the corresponding protrusion member 34 in said reen-trant part 107.

Ramp 106a constitutes an upwardly inclined ramp in the case where the user wishes to dispose the fuse-holder 23 in an operative position. In effect, in such a case, he simply axially rotates again the fuse-holder in the direction of the arrows 1, this causing the protrusion 34 of blade 14 to ride upwardly on the ramp 106a against the actions of the springs 12 and 35. Said protrusion then slides along a downwardly inclined ramp 106D defined by the step 106 to enter the notch 108 of which the effective angular extent or land 1 is quite separated from that of the reentrant part 107. In addition to the feeling appreciation imparted by the variations of the components applied to the fuse-holder during the recited partial rotation thereof, the rapid penetration of the protrusion 34 in notch 108 produces a metal noise or click by which the user is informed that said fuse-holder is definitively positioned.

As shown in FIG. 6, notch 108 is greater in depth than the homologous part of the ramp 101 of blade 13. Said ramp thus constitutes a stop member for the corresponding protrusion 34 and restrains the extent of the axial fuse-holder displacement, whereby the other prot-rusion 34 of cup member 29 engages no more the blade 14. In this manner, the electric energy supplied by the conductor flows in a path comprising spindle 8, fuse 28, cup 29, blade 13, and thence conductor 18. The circuit-breaker is thus effectively put in a direct use, and it controls the circuit including the same. In effect, in the case where the supplied current is greater than a value higher than that which is determined by the characteristics of fuse 28, the fuse undergoes a heating up which, beyond the chosen rated value, causes the same to melt, this resulting in opening the internal established circuit. Consequently, the current then flows from spindle 8 through a path comprising resistance 19, blade 14, spring 35, miniature lamp 37, cup 29 and blade 13 to return by conductor 18. This new internal circuit switches on the miniature lamp 37 intended to inform the user about the occurred breakdown.

In some cases of particular use, it may be useful to momentarily open the circuit controlled by the fuse 28, more particularly when said circuit is a part of a multiple function assembly, group or series. In such a case, the user rotates the fuse-holder 23 in the direction opposed to the arrows 1, so that the protrusion 34 of blade 13 rides over the step 106, after which it enters the reentrant part or notch 107 in which it is detained by the small nose 104. The fuse is thus placed, as above-described, in the rest position in which the normally controlled circuit is open at the level of the blade 13.

As it appears from the above description, the circuithreaker according to this invention advantageously comprises, on the one hand, an element for controlling the value of the current supplied to the circuit comprising said circuit-breaker and additionally, on the other hand, a servicing element capable to open or close said circuit.

Although not shown, it may be advantageous to provide, for example on the collar 3, reference marks corresponding to the angular lands a, B and 'y and intended to cooperate with a pointer, a boss or any reference member carried by the head 22 and indicating the orientation of the protrusions 34.

This invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described in detail, since various changes and modifications may be brought thereto without going outside of its scope.

What I claim is:

1. In a circuit protector, a hollow tubular body having a pair of opposed ends, a movable electric cont-act situated in said body at one of said ends, a first conductor connected with said movable electric contact, a fuse in said body and having an end engaging said movable electric contact, said fuse having an opposed end distant from said contact, an elongated fuse holder engaging said opposed end of said fuse and a transverse cup defining panel member in said body mounted intermediate the length of said fuse holder contacting said opposed end of said fuse, said transverse cup defining panel member having in a diametral plane a pair of protrusions, and a pair of conductive blades housed in said tubular body and formed with notches, respectively, receiving said protrusions, respectively, and a second conductor connected with one of said blades, said tubular body having at said one end thereof, a portion formed with a central hole, and said movable electric contact including a spindle extending through said hole and a platen connected to said spindle and situated in said tubular body, and a spring situated in said body in engagement with said one end thereof and with said platen.

2. In a circuit protector, a hollow tubular body having a pair of opposed ends, a movable electric contact situated at one of said ends of said body, a first conductor connected to said movable electric contact, a fuse in said body having one end engaging said movable electric contact and having an opposed end distant from said contact, an elongated fuse holder engaging said opposed end of said fuse and a transverse cup defining panel member mounted intermediate the length of said fuse holder, also engaging said opposed end of said fuse and having in a diametral plane a pair of protrusions, and a pair of conductive blades housed in said body and formed with notches respectively receiving said protrusions, a second conductor connected to one of said blades, and said fuse holder having a hollow tip terminating in a free end provided with an internal peripheral flange holding said fuse at said opposed end thereof, said fuse holder having a pair of diametrically opposed cutouts formed therein and also being formed with a pair of transverse openings and having slots which form extensions of said transverse openings, said cutouts respectively being defined by inclined ramp portions of said fuse holder, and said ramp portions providing communication between said cutouts and said transverse openings, said protrusions being in the form of diametrically opposed tabs received in said transverse openings to be locked thereby to said fuse holder with said cup defining panel member forming a stationary contact engaging said opposed end of said fuse.

3. In a circuit protector, an elongated hollow tubular body having a pair of opposed ends, a movable electric contact situated in said body at one of said Opposed ends thereof, a first conductor connected to said electric contact, a fuse in said body having one end engaging said contact and having an opposed end distant from said contact, an elongated fuse holder engaging said opposed end of said fuse and a transverse cup defining panel member mounted intermediate the length of said fuse holder, contacting said opposed end of said fuse and having a pair of protrusions in a diametral plane, and a pair of conductive blades housed in said body and respectively formed with notches which respectively receive said protrusions, and a second conductor connected with one of said blades, said tubular body including a sleeve and said blades being of arched cross section and extending into said sleeve, said cup defining panel member forming a stationary contact whose protrusions cooperate with said notches to provide a bayonet connection.

4. In a circuit protector, an elongated hollow tubular body having a pair of opposed ends, a movable electric contact situated in said body at one of said ends thereof, a first conductor connected with said contact, a fuse in said body having one end engaging said contact and having an opposed end distant from said contact, an elongated fuse holder engaging said fuse at said opposed end thereof, and a transverse cup defining panel member mounted intermediate the length of said fuse holder, contacting said fuse at said opposed end thereof and including in a diametral plane a pair of protrusions, and a pair of conductive blades housed in said body and formed with notches respectively receiving said protrusions, a second conductor connected with one of said blades, a secondary circuit including a resistance having a pair of opposed ends, a spring forming part of said movable contact and engaging one end of said resistance, said blades being arched and one of said blades extending into said tubular body by a distance greater than the other of said blades, the other end of said resistance being connected with said one blade, said one blade terminating in said body in a transverse edge, and a coiled spring in said body engaging said transverse edge of said one blade, said coiled spring surrounding said fuse holder and having an end turn, said fuse holder having a hollow translucent head, a miniature lamp in said head of said fuse holder, a first conductor connected to said miniature lamp and to said end turn of said coiled spring, and a second conductor connected to said lamp and to said transverse cup defining panel member, one of said protrusions of said cup defining panel member being permanently in contact with the other of said arched blades.

5. In a circuit protector, an elongated hollow tubular body having a pair of opposed ends, a movable electric cont-act situated in said body at one of said ends thereof, a first conductor connected to said contact, a fuse in said body having one end engaging said contact and having an opposed end distant from said contact, an elongated fuse holder engaging said opposed end of said fuse and a transverse cup defining panel member mounted intermediate the length of said fuse holder, contacting said opposed end of said fuse and having in a diametral plane a pair of protrusions, and a pair of conductive blades housed in said body and respectively formed with notches which respectively receive said protrusions, and a second conductor connected to one of said blades, said blades constituting upper and lower blades, and said upper blade having a predetermined profile forming said notch therein and defining an angular rest land for the protrusion received in said notch of said upper blade, the other of said protrusions being spaced from the lower blade when said one protrusion engages said angular rest land of said upper blade, and said upper blade having an additional angular land situated in alignment with said one protrusion when said other protrusion contacts said lower blade, said other protrusion when contacting said lower blade maintaining said one protrusion out of contact with said upper blade.

6. In a circuit protector, an elongated hollow tubular body having a pair of opposed ends, a movable electric contact situated in said body at one of said ends thereof, a first conductor connected with said contact, a fuse in said body having one end engaging said contact and having an opposed end distant from said contact, an elongated fuse holder engaging said opposed end of said fuse, and a transverse cup defining panel member mounted intermediate the length of said fuse holder, contacting said opposed end of said fuse and having in a diametral plane a pair of protrusions, and a pair of conductive blades constituting upper and lower blades and respectively housed in said body and formed respectively with notches which receive said protrusions, said lower blade having, for introduction of the corresponding protrusion of the transverse cup defining panel member, its notch extending transversely with respect to said blade and said blade including an upper arm defining part of the notch of said lower blade and having a length less than the width of said lower blade, said upper arm terminating in an inner side edge forming a ramp extending upwardly in the direction of an open inlet end of the notch of said lower blade.

7. In a circuit protector, an elongated hollow tubular body having a pair of opposed ends, a movable electric contact situated in said body at one of said ends thereof, a first conductor connected with said contact, a fuse in said body having one end engaging said contact, saidfusc having an opposed end distant from said contact, an elongated fuse holder engaging said opposed end of said fuse, and a transverse cup defining panel member mounted intermediate the length of said fuse holder, contacting said opposed end of said fuse and having in a diametral plane a pair of protrusions, and-a pair of conductive blades housed in said body and respectively formed with notches which respectively receive said protrusions, said blades forming upper and lower blades, and said upper blade having at its notch which receives one of said protrusions of said transverse cup defining panel member a reentrant portion extending transversely with respect to said upper blade and said upper blade having an upper arm defining part of said notch and said reentrant portion and having a width which is the same as that of said upper blade, said upper arm terminating in an internal edge provided with a nose situated opposite an inlet opening of said reentrant portion of said notch, said notch including a step and a second reentrant portion separating said nose from said step, the lower blade having at its notch an upwardly inclined ramp and said second reentrant portion having a depth which is substantially less than that of said ramp, said notch of said upper arm including next to said step a recess of said upper arm having a depth substantially greater than that of the upwardly inclined ramp of said lower blade.

8. In a circuit protector, an elongated hollow tubular body having a pair of opposed ends, a movable electric contact situated in said body at one of said ends thereof, a first conductor connected with said contact, a fuse in said body having one end engaging said contact and having an opposed end distant from said contact, an elongated fuse holder engaging said opposed end of said fuse, a transverse cup defining panel member mounted intermediate the length of said fuse holder, contacting said opposed end of said fuse and having a pair of protrusions in a diametral plane, and a pair of conductive blades constituting upper and lower blades and housed in said tubular body, said blades being respectively formed with notches which respectively receive said protrusions, the upper one of said blades being formed at its notch with a reentrant portion and a recess and said upper blade having a step between said reentrant portion and said recess, a said step terminating in an apex and including two ramps extending from said apex toward said reentrant portion and said recess, respectively.

9. In a circuit protector, an outer sleeve and a tubular extension extending only in part into said outer sleeve so as to extend from the latter, said outer sleeve and tubular extension defining a tubular body and the outer diameter of said extension being smaller than the inner diameter of said sleeve so as to define a given space between said sleeve and extension where said sleeve extends in part around said extension, at least one electrically conductive blade extending along the exterior of said extension beyond said sleeve and through the space defined between said sleeve and extension into the interior of said sleeve beyond said extension, a movable electric contact situated in said extension distant from said sleeve and adapted to be connected with a first conductor, a fuse situated in said extension and having one end engaging said movable electric contact, said fuse extending beyond said extension into the hollow interior of said sleeve so that the part of said blade which extends along the interior of said sleeve beyond said extension is situated beside that part of said fuse which extends beyond said extension into the hollow interior of said sleeve, said blade being adapted to be connected at the exterior of said extension with a second conductor, an elongated fuse holder in said sleeve holding said fuse at a portion thereof situated beyond said extension in the interior of said sleeve, and a second contact in said sleeve engaging the end of .said fuse distant from said first-mentioned contact,

said second contact also engaging said blade, so that said fuse is situated in and completes a circuit between said first and second conductors, said second contact being in the form of a transverse panel member mounted intermediate the length of said fuse holder and having a protrusion engaging said blade.

10. The combination of claim 9 and wherein said fuse holder houses, at least in part, said second contact.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,417,692 3/1947 Kline 200-121 X 2,581,308 1/1952 Smith 200133 X 2,854,549 9/1958 Duerkob 200121 X BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. H. B. GILSON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A CIRCUIT PROTECTOR, A HOLLOW TUBULAR BODY HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSED ENDS, A MOVABLE ELECTRIC CONTACT SITUATED IN SAID BODY AT ONE OF SAID ENDS, A FIRST CONDUCTOR CONNECTED WITH SAID MOVABLE ELECTRIC CONTACT, A FUSE IN SAID BODY AND HAVING AN END ENGAGING SAID MOVABLE ELECTRIC CONTACT, SAID FUSE HAVING AN OPPOSED END DISTANT FROM SAID CONTACT, AN ELONGATED FUSE HOLDER ENGAGING SAID OPPOSED END OF SAID FUSE AND A TRANSVERSE CUP DEFINING PANEL MEMBER IN SAID BODY MOUNTED INTERMEDIATE THE LENGTH OF SAID FUSE HOLDER CONTACTING SAID OPPOSED END OF SAID FUSE, SAID TRANSVERSE CUP DEFINING PANEL MEMBER HAVING IN A DIAMETRAL PLANE A PAIR OF PROTRUSIONS, AND A PAIR OF CONDUCTIVE BLADES HOUSED IN SAID TUBULAR BODY AND FORMED WITH NOTCHES, RESPECTIVELY, RECEIVING SAID PROTRUSIONS, RESPECTIVELY, AND A SECOND CONDUCTOR CONNECTED WITH ONE OF SAID BLADES, SAID TUBULAR BODY HAVING AT SAID ONE END THEREOF, A PORTION FORMED WITH A CENTRAL HOLE, AND SAID MOVABLE ELECTRIC CONTACT INCLUDING A SPINDLE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID HOLE AND A PLATEN CONNECTED TO SAID SPINDLE AND SITUATED IN SAID TUBULAR BODY, AND A SPRING SITUATED IN SAID BODY IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ONE END THEREOF AND WITH SAID PLATEN. 